Postdoctoral fellow in the field of urban history and/or urban studies

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research, and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international, and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Department of History and the Urban Studies Institute are looking for a full-time (100%) postdoctoral fellow in the field of Urban History and/or Urban Studies

Position

As postdoctoral fellow you are a member of the Academic Staff (BAP). The position is framed within the collaboration between the Urban Studies Institute and the Centre for Urban History, with a view to strengthening and connecting education, research, and academic service of both centers.

Education

• You support the development, coordination, and monitoring of the internal processes of European education programs for the Urban Studies Institute and the Department of History (such as YUFE, ErasmusPlus, etc.). You coordinate the administrative, logistic, and technical tasks for these programs.
• You support the development, coordination, and evaluation of the following courses: Cities and citizens in European history (YUFE program, BA1); Urban studies: debates and perspectives (YUFE program, BA2)
• You support in the coordination of the YUFE minor: Cities and Urbanization: Interdisciplinary Perspectives, including the supervision of problem-driven courses such as challenge teams.
• You will take up teaching assistance responsibilities and provide qualitative academic education.

Research

• You conduct high-quality scholarly research in the field of history and/or urban studies.
• You report on, and publish, the results of your research.
• You contribute to ongoing research projects and the functioning of the research group Centre for Urban History and the Urban Studies Institute.
• You contribute to attracting (inter)national research funding.

Academic service

• You actively contribute to academic services of the Urban Studies Institute and Department of History. You are responsible for sustainable and professional services within education, including the guidance of students in study approach, study skills and study planning; the establishment and maintenance of external contacts in view of internationalization; quality improvement of education; and participation in education-related councils and committees.
• You are jointly responsible for maintaining contacts between the various YUFE partners involved in the YUFE courses and minor, and optimize international cooperation.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in history or urban studies (or you will obtain the academic degree of PhD no later than the time of appointment).
• You have a strong interest in interdisciplinary teaching and research.
• You have good coordination, planning and organization skills and are a good networker and connector.
• You have an excellent oral and written knowledge of English.
• You like to work in a team, but also value developing independent initiatives.
• You work with integrity, are collegial, creative, quality-oriented and collaborative.
• Your teaching competencies are in line with the educational vision of the University of Antwerp. Relevant teaching experience in the field of history or urban studies is an added value.
• Your research qualities are in line with faculty and university research policies.
• You are motivated to actively take control of your further professional development. In doing so, you can take advantage of a wide range of training and professionalization opportunities.

What we offer

• We offer an appointment as a postdoctoral fellow for a period of one year, renewable for three years after good evaluation.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for a principal research fellow in the Contract Research Staff category (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is 1 October 2024, or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at Stadscampus in a dynamic and stimulating work environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 15 August 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter and a CV.
• The selection committee will review all the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Greet De Block (greet.deblock@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.